Strand RFC kept their unbeaten record in Super League C (SLC) intact with a well-deserved 15-10 win over Macassar RFC at Gustrouw Sports Ground on Saturday (28 May).
After a 5-10 half-time deficit, the home side added two more tries to their first-half efforts to outscore the MC Boys by three tries to one in a fiercely fought typical Helderberg derby showdown. The top-of-the-table clash wasn’t short of any heroics as the two clubs fought it out in daunting weather conditions. The men from Strand eventually held their own in front of a packed sports ground.
Playing with the wind in the first stanza, the Macassar forwards took full advantage and racked up the points within five minutes of play. The first score came courtesy of lock Oliver Gila after a series of sustained pressure by the visitors. Garth de Bruin added the extras (0-7).
It was not long before Strand started to make their presence felt, with their inside backs, led Bradley Robertson, getting his side on the front foot. The flyhalf exerted confidence throughout and combined well with Diego Visagie.
The home side hit back, launched an attack from 50 m out after turning over the ball. Rapid distribution and ball retention saw influential captain Riyaat Adams crossing over (5-7).
With the rain pouring down and the wind behind them, the visitors looked to hit back. With their strong ball carriers and forward back, the MC Boys only succeeded with a penalty by De Bruin as Adams and his boys stood their ground to close out the first half 5-10.
It was tit-for-tat affair in the first quarter of the second half, as both teams looked to pile on the pressure. The home side drew first blood when hooker Mark Sylvester bulldozed in the corner to level the score (10-10).
The contest turned fierce and scrappy, as handling errors and poor discipline saw a player from each side handed a yellow card for foul play.
Strand were forced to weather more pressure from the visitors. With 10 minutes remaining, the MC Boys asserted more weight to their attack and camped on the home side’s tryline in hopes of gleaning a seven-point margin.
The decision not to kick for goal and add more points to the tally was costly for the visitors, who received multiple penalties in kickable range.
Strand eventually broke the deadlock when they charged 70 m up the field, as replacement scrumhalf Ronaldo Daniels caught the MC Boys defence on the back foot when he sniped around a set-piece scrum.
The home side piled on the pressure and Visagie crossed over for the match winning score (15-10).
The Strand boys are now seven from seven, while the MC Boys suffered their first defeat with one game in hand to their counterparts.
V Other club rugby results: Busy Bees 12-30 All Saints (SLB); Strand United 22-5 Pniel-Villagers (SLC).
V See page 15 for Helderberg vs Primrose match report, as well as predictions for this weekend’s fixtures.
